When Can You Change Your Health Insurance in Arizona

In Arizona, the ability to change your health insurance generally follows the rules regarding Open Enrollment Periods and Special Enrollment Periods. Here’s how it works in Arizona:

1. Open Enrollment Period (OEP)

• Marketplace Insurance: If you purchase health insurance through the Health Insurance Marketplace (Healthcare.gov), the Open Enrollment Period typically runs from November 1 to December 15 each year. During this time, you can sign up for a new plan, switch plans, or make changes to your existing coverage for the following year.
• Employer-Sponsored Insurance: The Open Enrollment Period for health insurance provided by employers in Arizona will vary, but it usually occurs annually, often in the fall. Your employer will notify you of the exact dates.

2. Special Enrollment Period (SEP)

• You may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period in Arizona if you experience a Qualifying Life Event (QLE), such as:
  • Loss of other coverage: For example, if you lose your job-based insurance, lose Medicaid or CHIP eligibility, or turn 26 and are no longer covered by a parent’s plan.
  • Changes in household: This could include getting married, getting divorced, having a baby, adopting a child, or experiencing a death in the family.
  • Changes in residence: Moving to a new area within Arizona or moving into the state from another location can trigger a SEP.
  • Other qualifying events: Becoming a U.S. citizen, leaving incarceration, or other specific situations.

In Arizona, you generally have 60 days from the date of the Qualifying Life Event to change your health insurance plan.

3. Medicare Enrollment Periods

• Initial Enrollment Period (IEP): When you turn 65, you have a 7-month period to enroll in Medicare, which includes the 3 months before, the month of, and the 3 months after your 65th birthday.
• General Enrollment Period (GEP): If you missed your IEP, you can enroll from January 1 to March 31 each year, with coverage starting July 1.
• Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period: From January 1 to March 31, you can switch Medicare Advantage plans or return to Original Medicare.
• Medicare Special Enrollment Periods: These are available for specific circumstances, such as moving out of your plan’s service area or losing other insurance coverage.

4. Medicaid and CHIP

• In Arizona, you can apply for Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) at any time, as these programs do not have specific open enrollment periods. Eligibility and coverage can change throughout the year depending on your circumstances.

If you miss the Open Enrollment Period and do not qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, you will likely need to wait until the next Open Enrollment Period to make changes to your health insurance.

 

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